Combustion apparatus



J. GOOD.

COMBUSTlON APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1917. RENEWED J'UNE24,1920.

Patented May 24, 1921 I I I MINA! I UNITED STATES PAT NT "OFFICE.

JOHN GOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO GOOD INVENTIONS 60., OFBROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1921.

Application filed June 28, 1917, Serial Ito. 177,443. Renewed June 24,1820. Serial No. 391,520.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN G001), a. United States citizen, and residentof Brooklyn,

such as may be produced by a suction fan.

applied to the burner outlet causing air to flow into the burner fromatmosphere. The invention consists in an improved method and means ofinsuring reliable ignition of the fuel mixture in burners of this kindeven though the apparatus be quite cold, as in zero weather, or the fuelbe of low infiammability. In a copendin application now Patout No.1,331,985, I have disclosed a method of insuring reliable ignition inliquid fuel burners of this general class which consists in causing themixture in the burner to be initially richer in fuel than required forthe subsequent combustion, and this is accomplished, in the specificstructure of that patent, by initially intermitting the action. of oneof the two air-supplying devices comprehended in that structure, withthe result that the action of the remaining device produces a rich spraymixture in the burner adapted for instant and certain ignition. In someof the various uses to which this class of apparatus may be put however,it is not always convenient or suitable to produce the initial richnessin this manner, nor with fuels of better flammability, is it necessaryto use the'higher pressure differences which are preferred in saidpatent. The present invention provides an improved and simplified methodand means for accomplishing the initially rich efiect in burnersoperated by a single air-fiow-producing means at very moderate pressuredifierences and particularly those burners which are of small compassand are operated by suction. Accordingto this invention the burnerfunctions, on the establishment of such an air flow, to produce anabnormally high rate of fuel delivery durin the initial period ofoperation, so as to pro. uce that degree of richness of the fuel spraymixture and that degree of fineness of atomization which will makeigmtion certain under otherwise diflicult or impossible conditions. Inits preferred form such temporary rich condition isobtained by chokingor restricting the air flow and this is also done automatically andcaused to persist for an appropriate period while the igniter isinaction.

The mechanism diagrammed in the the accompanying drawings is merely oneof many diii'erent embodiments taken for illustration of the principleof the invention.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section of such embodiment, thesuction creating means being shown in side elevation, and

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the electrical connections, the flame-generatingpart being shown on smaller scale and in section on line ll-1l ofFig. 1. l i

The burner or flame-generating part of the heating device includes anozzle part 10 and an admission chamber 11 for the combustion-supportingair. These parts are connected to an outlet passage 12 of any suitablelength, through which the flame is maintained and its productsexhausted. The burneris provided with a liquid fuel spraying devicecomprising a nozzle 13 adapted to draw liquid fuel from a receptacle 14,sup plied by pipe 15, the liquid. in the chamber being kept at aconstant level by a float-controlled valve of usual type. An air nozzle16 entering the burner in aspirating relation to the oil nozzle 13 isadapted to deliver an air jet co-acting with fuel orifice and produce aliquid fuel spray inslde-of the interior wall or shell 19. which formsthe ig-.'

nition and mixing space of the burner. This spray is intercepted by twoopposing'electrodes 17 of an electric i iter which may.

be of common type, but is ere shown as two similar insulated plugsmounted adjacent to the nozzles in the casing part 10 and connected witha source of electrical energy, as, for instance, the secondary of asparking duction coil 18. (Fig. 2.) The combustion supporting air fromthe chamber joins the spray in the ignition and mixing space through anumber of holes in the shell 19, these being distributed around aboutthe spray as indicated. Such air enters the airdistributing space 11from the valve 22 when it is open, as presently explained, and

, to be heated or may extend through or ad jacent to such part or'parts,and it may be associated with and used for vaporizing the fuel charge ofan internal combustion englne. The suction producing means may beoperated from any suitable source of power, such for exampleasanelectric motor 21 which may becon-nected'with the same source ofelectrical energy that operatesthe igniter, so thattheclosing of thecircuit to operate the i niter'wilh 'at the same time, close the circuitof the electric motor, and thereby produce i nition' and combustionby'the operation 0 asingle member.

When the suction-producing means is set in operatien, the suction effectin the burner, besides drawing liquid fuel into the combustion space, asabove described, also starts to draw in air through the valve 22 andchamber 11 but the air flow'through this path is obstructed by theposition of the valve 22 which is'clo's'ed'at thestart and not opened,or allowed to open, promptly-so that prac tieally'the full force of thesuction is momentarily active on the fuel spraying means to cause averyvigorous air jet and a correspondingly copious delivery of fuel. Thisproduces-in the ignition andmixing space a mixture 'of'atomized"f-ueland air the properties of which are abnormally rich and suited=forspark ignition. In the case in hand the opening of the valve is retardedand timed automatically, by a dash-pot arrangement, 'comprisingadash-pot piston 26 connected to the valve stem and working in a chamber24 whichcontains the valve spring 28 and is kept filledwith liquid by'apassa' 21 connecting with the fuel receptac e. Holes in the pistonallow, the liquid to flow to its opposite-sidesand the size of thepiston and its holes determines the period of re; striction, as will beunderstood. As the valve- 22-approaches I its normal position,

movingagamst the spring, the ignition will be effected 'and'while thecombustion, proceeds the fuel and air proportions entering the "burnerbecome'these'=suited for the nornial combustion 'operatidn, andthereafter 4 the action of the spring produces-a correlationbetween'the' velocit "of the air jet'and theflow through'cliainer1-1which keeps the proportions" cofistunt. Thatis to say, the valve22'adniitsmorebr less air according as variation in the? suctioncondition in the burnefcauseefimore orless fuel 'to' be delivered by thefuel spraying means, thus keeping the proportions constant-though thesuction and the rate of combustion may'vary. Delivery of fuel, except bythe asplrating action of the air jet, is prevented by thepressure-equalizing passage 28 through which the pressure condition infloat chamher is equalized with that in the interior of the device, andthis-is arranged in the bottom of the burner to serve also as a drainback for liquid fuel, if any should collect'therein. To prevent thecollection of liquid fuel on the spark-plug electrodes which mightshortcircuit'them, they are made hook shaped so that drops of liquidthereon will drain away from the gap.

From the foregoing description of' the apparatus illustrated it will beapparent that invention. consists in starting the'c'ornbust-ien in thisclass of burner-shy initiallyproducing an abnormally high rate of fueldelivery into the burner, igniting it, and while bui'nin'g, reducingtherate of fuel delivery to that requiredfor the'normal supply ofcombustion supporting ai'r, andmore particu' larly consists in producingthis effect by coincidently restricting the entrance "of the said airwhich has the effect of increasing the suction effect on the fuelspraying-means with a corresponding intensificationof t atomizingaction.

Claims: p 1. The method of starting-comh ustionof liquid fuel in aconfined combustionspaee which consists in momentarily supplying saidspace with liquid fuehat'a'n abnormally high rate of delivery adaptedt wu r a rich and re arli'lyi'gnitible mixture'flo'w' of fuel and air ltherein igniting said mixture flow and while it is-burnfing reducingsaid fuel rate and thereby establishing the proportions suited fornennad combustion.

2. The method of startin combustion-in liquid fuel burners which"consistsink 60- inci'dently supplying the same with liquid fuel at anabnormally high rate "of delivery and with air at an-abnerma' low-rateof delivery and thereby producing a 'rich and readily ignitihle flow offiuel mixture therein igniting said flow and while it 'is 5 burning,

coincidently 'changing said delivery rates-to establish normal mixture'prepertiens $11 the.

supply to the burner. a

The method 'of starting combustion" in suction-operated liquid fuelburners-which consistsin momentarily restricting the'suction air flowthereto and thereby causing-the.

suction effect to 'drawin fuel 'at' amabnormal'ly high rate adapted-toproduce a -flbw of rich mixture, igniting said mixture and while it isburning removingsaid restrietidn and thereby establishingnormalproportions in the "burner; I

4. The method of star-tins cmnlzmstion in suctionoperated"liquid fuelburnera ofthe so passage adapted for supplying fuel to said kind havingair-atomized fuel-spray means,

' which consists in momentarily increasing the comprising a combustionspace, a single airflow-producing means therefor, a fuel sprayingmeanscorrelated with the latter to maintain combustible proportions inthe mixture flowing in said space, an igniter in such space, and meansfor making said mixture relatively rich in fuel when saidairflow-producing means begins to function.

6. Inclosed liquid fuel burning apparatus compris a combustion space, asingle airflow-proucing means, a fuel-spraying means correlatedtherewith to produce combustible proportions in the mixture flowing insaid space, an igniter in said space, a

single means for setting all said means and the igniter in action andmeans for automatically making said mixture initially rich in fuel andlater less rich.

Y. lnclosed liquid-fuel combustion apparatus comprising in combination,an ignition and mining space, a suction means in communication with theoutlet of said space, an electric igniter in said space, a liquid fuelspace at a rate establishing combustible mixture proportions therein,and means for automatically and momentarily making said mixturerelatively rich in fuel when the suction means is started.

8. Liquid fuel combustion apparatus comprising an ignition and mixingspace, a suction means connected therewith, a liquid fuel passage fordelivering fuel to said space adapted to supply such'fuel thereto atavariable rate maintaining" substantially constant mixture proportions insaid space and means for automatically making saidmixture proportionsmomentarily rlch in fuel when the suction means begins to function.

9. Inclosed liquid fuel combustion apparatus comprising a'motor, asuction reducing means actuated thereby, a com ustion space connected tosaid means and havin an an entrance, a valve for said entrance w ich isclosed when said motor is started, a liquid fuel passage adapted for enplying fuel to said space in proportion to the suction flow thereinandan electric igniter in said space Y adapted to ignite said mixturewhile said valve is closed or during its movement to normal position.

10. The combination-of a passage to be heated, having a liquid fuelatomizing means, an electric igniter, an inlet for combustion-suportingfa-ir, and a slow-moving valve mom 1' controlling said inlet andoperating by'virtue of the establishment of a liquid fuel burningapparatus predetermined pressure difierence between the source of airsupply and the interlor of said passage.

11. The combination of an inclosed flame passage of small compass,containing means.

means for admitting combustion-supporting air to said passage upon apredetermined lowerin ,of the pressure therein.

12. irihombination of an inclosed flame chamber of small compass, havinga liquid nozzle, an open air nozzle in aspirating re lation thereto andin open communication with the atmosphere at its inlet end, an inlet forcombustion supporting air, an inwardly opening, spring-pressed valveadapted for closing of obstructing said last mentioned inlet, and meansfor creating suction within said chamber to firstatomize fuel andthereafter open said. inlet valve.

13. The combination of an inclosed chamber of small compass, having aliquid fuel nozzle, an air nozzle in aspirating relation thereto, anigniter. inthe path of the atomized fuel, an inletfor combustionsupporting air including a perforated well, an inwardly opening,spring-pressed valve normally 0bstructing said last mentioned inlet, andmeans for creating a difference in pressure between the interior of saidchamber and the source of air sup 1y to reflect first an atomizing ofthe liquid fuel and ignition-cf the spray and later, the an oi saidinlet valve.

M. in combination, a substantially cylindrical, perforated wall, aburner head at one end thereof and havin a means forspray.

ing fuel thereintm'an ignite! in the path of the llfid spray, an airadmission chamber encirc g said wall and having an inlet, a valvenormally obstructi said inlet, a dash pot connected to said va ve, andmeans for establishing a diiference in air pressure between the interiorof said admission chain her and the source of air supply to open saidvalve-after the establishment and ignition of the li uid spray.

' 15. combination, a substantially cylindrical, perforated wall, aburner head at one end thereof and having a liquid fuel nozzle and anair delive lation thereto, an igniter in the ath of the liquid spraycircling sald wall and having an inlet, a spring-pressed valve normallyclosing said inlet, a dash pot connected to said valve, and a suctiondevice for opening said valve and nozzle in aspirating rean airadmission 0 amber endrawing in combustion-supporting air after JonNsoon.

have signed

